A strike at Shoprite stores around South Africa enjoyed widespread public support and is impacting on the company, the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers’ Union (Saccawu) said on Tuesday.
”The strike is continuing today [Tuesday] and the fact that Shoprite are closing some stores is proof that the strike is having an impact,” said Saccawu negotiator Thoko Mchunu.
The strike began with lunchtime pickets on July 18. The failure of subsequent negotiations led to the full-blown strike, which began last Thursday.
Saccawu has demanded the greater of a wage increase of R300 or 10%, as well as improved working conditions. Shoprite has offered R265.
On Monday, Shoprite condemned the violence allegedly committed by striking workers at stores around the country, but remain tight-lipped on the impact of the strike.
It said it will take civil action against the union after it was alleged that those responsible for damage to stores in the Eastern Cape over the weekend were acting on Saccawu’s instructions.
No indication that Shoprite was ready to return to the negotiating table has been received by the union, said Mchunu.
The company declined to comment on the matter on Tuesday. — Sapa